The Success of SpongeBob SquarePants

With the recent victory of the franchiseAn interesting additional note to the success of
SpongeBob SquarePants during the recentlySpongeBob SquarePants is that it is not
concluded 2009 Elan Awards for the categoryparticularly created with only young children in
Best Voice-Over in an Animated Production (asmind. Adolescents and even young adults also find
won by Tom Kenny), it is only fitting to explorethe snarky and witty dialogues in the show as
the success of the titular character with theengaging and top-of-the-line humorous. The show's
impeccable charm and absurd decision-making.developers have found a way to insert adult
SpongeBob SquarePants first took the globaljokes which can just be ignored by children such
stage when it was premiered in the child-orientedas jokes about marine biology and raising children.
global network Nickelodeon in May 1999. TheSpongeBob SquarePants is now a king of
official series kicked off in July 2009 and itendoresements and character licensing deals. Fast
brought us to the world of a sea sponge, whofood restaurants are favorite clients of this deals,
upon closer inspection actually looks like the onepackaging SpongeBob with value meals in order to
being used for kitchens.entice children (and their parents) to buy their
SpongeBob lives in the lagoon floor of thefood. Among the long list of fast food restaurants
imaginary city of Bikini Bottom in the Pacificwhich used SpongeBob were McDonald's, Wendy's
Ocean. It was created by the noted animatorand Burger King's. Action figures have also
Stephen Hillenburg after his previous experiencesbecome a regular fixture in leading toy companies
as a marine biologist. Since then, it has becomeall over the globe. LEGO has been one of the
one of the longest-running shows in Nickelodeonmore popular brands which licensed SpongeBob
(seven seasons and second only to Rugrats). InSquarePants as one of its builder sets. He has also
2007, TIME Magazine also gave it the distinctionbeen featured in board games such as Monopoly,
as one of the greatest television shows of allLife and Operation, Ants in the Pants and Yahtzee.
time.Another prominent use of SpongeBob
It's hard to argue against it. SpongeBobSquarePants in character licensing deals can be
SquarePants has become a force in the characterseen in various theme park rides in his likeness. In
licensing industry. With its magnanimousSix Flags Over Texas, the ride SpongeBob
characters, many companies have lined up toSquarePants 4D was put in place of the previous
produce merchandise which bear the resemblanceEscape from Dino-Island 3D. The same ride was
of SpongeBob and even his friends. These includesopened in Noah's Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin. The
pencil cases, lunch boxes, notebooks - mostlynew theme park Nickelodeon Universe in
items which are useful for the youth demographic.Minnesota features a SpongeBob-themed
Most of the charm of the show rests on theGerstlauer Euro-Fighter custom roller coaster, the
child-like demeanor of SpongeBob and his bestSpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge.
friend, the star fish Patrick Star. Moreover, a hugeAll these lucrative character licensing deals were
help in its popularity rests in its character design.made possible by a brilliant intellectual property
SpongeBob's all-yellow appeal coupled with hiswhich was carefully planned to be of significance
distinct blown-up face and also Patrick's all-pinknot only to children but also to young adults.
appearance make them easy to remember forSpongeBob SquarePants' success is proof that
children. These physical representations capturedcareful planning, perseverance and hard work can
by the witty and talkative nature of the showpay off in the end.
can make it easily lovable for children.